Stephen Bastow

Stephen Russell Bastow

Stephen Russell Bastow, our loving husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother faithfully completed his mission here on earth in the early morning hours of December 7, 2014.

Steve was born in Santa Paula, California on February 3, 1948 to Russell Homer and Louise Hilma Naumann Bastow.  The family returned to Salt Lake City when Steve was two years old, then later moved to Holladay.

On October 26, 1973, Steve married his eternal sweetheart, Karen Phelps, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.  They were blessed with six wonderful children followed by eight grandchildren.  Steve’s entire life revolved around his family.  He was a gentle and loving husband and father—a giant among men.

During their 41 years of marriage, Steve and Karen made their home in Orem, Salt Lake City, Fruit Heights, and for 21 years in the beautiful mountains of Liberty.  They recently moved to Draper to be closer to their children.  Along the way, their lives have been enriched by many caring friends.

Steve was a valiant member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He served in the Brazil South Mission from 1967 to 1969.  He loved the gospel of Jesus Christ and was a diligent student and teacher of the scriptures.  Even while facing painful physical challenges, Steve spent his days indexing nearly 90,000 genealogical records.

Steve graduated from Olympus High School, attended Brigham Young University, and graduated from the University of Utah in accounting.  He retired after working for the State of Utah in various capacities as an auditor.  He loved the beauties of this earth and enjoyed traveling and camping with his family.  Steve was well-known for his cooking skills, especially his delicious Dutch oven dinners.

Steve is survived by his wife, Karen; children Bryan Russell (Emily) Bastow; Kristina Marie (Andy) Mower; Nathan Ross (Spring) Bastow; Kirsten Genevieve (Josh) Creamer; Kaylee Anne (Dakota) Belliston; and Kaitlynn Marie Bastow, who was finishing up an LDS mission in Sapporo, Japan at the time her dad finished his earthly mission.  Steve’s greatest joys were his grandchildren:  Brock Stephen Olsen, Zachary John Olsen, Austin Kristopher Mower, Luke Stephen Bastow, Benjamin Richard Bastow, Abigail Grace Bastow, Nixon James Belliston, and Lilian Genevieve Creamer.

Steve is also survived by his parents, Russell and Louise Bastow, his mother-in-law, Kaye Dickson Ashby, and two brothers Jeffrey Lynn (Candy) Bastow and Brent Homer (Joy) Bastow.

Funeral services will be held Friday, December 12, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the Liberty 1 ^st Ward, 4279 No. 3300 E., Liberty.  Friends may visit family Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road and Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.

Interment will be in the South Morgan Cemetery next to Karen’s grandparents, who loved Steve as one of their own.

Love you forever, my sweetheart Steve.